There are several potential advantages of using experimental design-based retention modeling for chromatographic method development. Most importantly, through the model-delivered systematic understanding (Design Spaces), users can benefit from increased method consistency, flexibility and robustness that can efficiently be achieved at lesser amount of development time. As a result, modeling tools have always been great supplementary assets and welcomed by both the pharmaceutical industry and the regulatory authorities. Most recently published chapters of ICH however – Q2(R2) and Q14 (both currently drafts) – evidence a further paradigm shift, specifying the elements of model-based development strategies in the so-called “enhanced approach”.

The main aim of this study was to investigate the impact of stationary phase chemistries on chromatographic method performance in the application example of ezetimibe and its related substances. A commercial modeling software package (DryLab®) was used to outline three-dimensional experimental design frameworks and acquire model Design Spaces (DSs) of 9 tested columns. This was done by performing 12 input calibration experiments per column, systematically changing critical method parameters (CMPs) as variables such as the gradient time (tG), temperature (T) and the ternary composition (tC) of the mobile phase. The constructed models allowed studying retention behaviors of selected analytes within each separation systems.

In the first part of our work, we performed single optimizations for all nine stationary phases with substantially different surface modifications based on their highest achievable critical resolution values. For these optimum points in silico robustness testing was performed, clearly showing a change of CMPs, depending on the column, and specified optimum setpoint.

In the second part of our work, we simultaneously compared the three-dimensional virtual separation models to identify all method parameter combinations that could provide at least baseline separation (Rs, crit.>1.50). These overlapping areas between the models described a common method operational design region (MODR) where columns were considered completely interchangeable – in terms of their baseline resolving capability – regardless of their exact physicochemical properties. A final optimized, column-independent working point within the common MODR was selected for verification. Indeed, experimental chromatograms showed excellent agreement with the model; all columns in the common condition were able to yield critical resolution values higher than 2.0, only their retentivity (elution window of peaks) was found different in some cases.

Our results underline that a profound understanding of the separation process is of utmost importance andthat in some cases, adequate selectivity is achievable on various stationary phases.